ALP senator says colleagues lack 'curiosity' in religious debate

Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has warned new religious freedom laws must not pander to extremes on either side of the debate, while taking a thinly-veiled swipe at some in the debate with "a lack of intellectual curiosity".

Signalling a will within federal Labor to work with the Morrison government on the contentious legislation, expected to be finalised next month, the Victorian senator told the Sydney Institute on Wednesday night Australians must remain "steadfast and strong" about their values.

Senator Kimberley Kitching said she was struck by a "lack of depth" of understanding of mainstream religious doctrine and practice.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

She said religious freedom – including the right not to believe – was "just as important" the nation's other freedoms and traditions.

Senator Kitching, who raised eyebrows within Labor ranks for establishing a bipartisan parliamentary group to defend "Judeo-Christian" and "Western-liberal democratic" values last year, said those with agnostic or atheist beliefs in the debate think that they are "more rational".

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She said she would only support a statute for religious freedom if it enhanced "a pluralist, secular society" and "optimise opportunity for everybody".

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"The simple truth is that shared Australian values, including respect for people of faith should be a unifying shield against those who preach division or hatred within, or threaten hostility and instability from beyond our shores," Senator Kitching said.

The Morrison government is attempting to walk a fine line between churches and free speech advocates over controversial changes to discrimination law, amid calls to toughen protections against vilification and violence.

The proposal is certain to polarise the government backbench after bruising debates in recent years over the conflict between freedom of speech and the use of discrimination law to stop remarks that cause offence.

Senator Kitching said she was struck by a "lack of depth" of understanding of mainstream religious doctrine and practice.

"I sometimes wonder whether this is a lack of intellectual curiosity amongst secularists," she said.

"Indeed, I have found that some most hostile to the protection of religious freedom, are the most lacking in intellectual curiosity."

Senator Kitching said it remained unclear whether the government's proposed legislation addressed the Ruddock Review's recommendation to protect, promote and balance the right to freedom of religion but said the opposition was prepared to work cooperatively on the issues.

Liberal MP Tim Wilson, who also spoke at the event, warned that attempting to specifically legislate further "freedom" not enjoyed by the rest of the community was unlikely to be met with enthusiasm.

He said most Australians would have no issue with such the legislation so long as it remained a religious Anti-Discrimination Act.

"Where tension could arise is if it becomes a Religious Freedom Act designed to shift the discussion from protecting people of faith from unjust discrimination to dictating the free license those of faith will have," Mr Wilson said.